The Portland Trail Blazers are heading into the 2025 NBA Draft with a clear need for versatile wings to bolster their roster. With the draft just around the corner, mock drafts are heavily focused on Portland targeting length and athleticism on the perimeter. This article breaks down the top wing prospects linked to the Blazers, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and potential fit within the team’s long-term plans. As the Blazers look to build around their young core, securing the right pieces in this draft is crucial for their future success.
Carter Bryant – A Potential Lottery Pick for Portland?
Carter Bryant from Arizona has emerged as a prominent name in mock drafts, frequently mentioned as a target for the Trail Blazers at the No. 11 pick. Wasserman of Bleacher Report highlights that Bryant is gaining traction during the predraft process due to his coveted archetype—size, shotmaking, and defensive abilities. Bryant would provide additional shooting, perimeter size, and positional versatility working in behind Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara.
Bryant has had a positive predraft process and appears ticketed for the late lottery, with interest coming from Phoenix following the Suns’ trade in at No. 10, and Portland at No. 11 and Atlanta at No. 13 closely linked as landing spots.
While he may not be an immediate offensive creator, his shooting range, passing ability, and defensive prowess make him a realistic candidate to become a lineup fixture. The Trail Blazers, who are already set at center with Donovan Clingan and Deandre Ayton, can significantly benefit from Bryant’s versatile skill set.
Derik Queen – A Promising Big Man Option
NBA.com’s consensus mock draft also mentions Derik Queen from Maryland as a potential pick for the Blazers. Queen would provide a fantastic 1-2 big man punch alongside last year’s first-round pick, Donovan Clingan. Playing both together might create some spacing issues, but Queen profiles as an excellent backup center who can operate as the offensive hub for reserve units with his unique playmaking ability for his size.
The Blazers can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel with Deandre Ayton’s contract expiring after this season, and Queen would provide a fantastic 1-2 big man punch alongside last year’s first-round pick, Donovan Clingan.
His unique playmaking ability for his size could offer a distinct advantage to the Blazers’ offensive strategies, especially for their reserve units.
Liam McNeeley – Sharpshooting Wing from UCONN
Liam McNeeley from UCONN is another prospect linked to the Trail Blazers, particularly for his sharpshooting abilities. Given that the Blazers ranked 24th in 3-point percentage last season, adding a reliable shooter like McNeeley could address a critical need. McNeeley is a sharpshooting wing with superb instincts moving without the ball, and the touch to splash from deep ranges. Though he doesn’t project as a primary shot creator, his feel as a connective passer gives him the skill to fit into any type of offense.
The Trail Blazers could be targeting a shooter with this pick after ranking 24th in 3-point percentage and in the middle of the pack in attempts last season. McNeeley is a sharpshooting wing with superb instincts moving without the ball, and the touch to splash from deep ranges.
Though he doesn’t project as a primary shot creator, his feel as a connective passer gives him the skill to fit into any type of offense.
Kasparas Jakucionis – A Dynamic Playmaker
Kasparas Jakucionis from Illinois is also on the radar for Portland. Lithuanian guard Kasparas Jakučinois made a strong early impression at Illinois. His season was up and down in the end, but it’s rare to find a playmaker with his combination of size, vision and creativity. Jakučionis is a limited athlete, so he will need to prove he can beat NBA defenders at the point of attack and finish against rim protection. But, a dynamic shot-making profile, including a filthy step-back, should allow him to score consistently, while his feel operating out of pick-and-rolls is well suited to today’s NBA.
The Blazers are ripe with frontcourt play-finishers and dynamic athletes in the backcourt, but there’s a stark lack of connective tissue. Deni Avdija came a long way last season, but Portland really needs a proper point guard type to organize the offense and maximize disparate pieces.
His playmaking skills and ability to operate out of pick-and-rolls could provide the Blazers with much-needed offensive organization.
Danny Wolf – A Ball-Skill Connectivity Option
Danny Wolf from Michigan is being considered as a player who could enhance ball-skill connectivity within the team. Wolf could help alleviate some of that pressure. This is an athletic and young roster, but they’re playing like a team with an offensive superstar despite not actually having one: 41.3 percent of their made field goals last season were unassisted, the third-highest mark in the league. Wolf could help alleviate some of that pressure.
Since Portland pivoted away from the Dame era, I’ve been fairly obsessed with the idea of adding ball-skill connectivity between the stable of fly-around athletes that the front office has accrued.
He’s just as savvy at accessing every part of the floor with his passing ability, his shooting upside is better at this point, and he’s also bigger.
Final Thoughts on the Blazers’ Draft Prospects
As the 2025 NBA Draft approaches, the Portland Trail Blazers face crucial decisions in shaping their roster for the future. With a focus on adding versatile wings, prospects like Carter Bryant, Liam McNeeley, Kasparas Jakucionis, Derik Queen, and Danny Wolf each offer unique skills and potential. The Trail Blazers’ choice will significantly impact their trajectory as they aim to build a competitive team around their young core. The emphasis on wings reflects the modern NBA’s value for versatile, athletic players who can contribute on both ends of the floor. The upcoming draft promises to be a pivotal moment for the Blazers, setting the stage for their future success.
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